Method and system for automatic update of a location profile

ABSTRACT

An approach for establishing a communication session according to a subscriber profile that is automatically updated is disclosed. A locator device, which is associated with a subscriber and includes a Global Positioning System (GPS) transponder, outputs geographic information that is transmitted to a communications network for establishing the communication session. The geographic information corresponds to one of a plurality of addresses specified in the subscriber profile to set a current address. The addresses are associated with a plurality of devices adapted to complete the communication session. The one address is designated as the current address if the geographic information corresponds to the one address, otherwise the current address is set to a default address, wherein the communication session is established based on the current address.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/254,523, filed Oct. 20, 2008, which is a continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 10/176,070, filed Jun. 21, 2002, entitled “Methodand System for Automatic Update of a Location Profile”; the entiretiesof which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a communications system, and is moreparticularly related to establishing a communication session accordingto a profile specifying call processing instructions.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The advancement of communication technologies and services have affordedusers with the ability and convenience of remaining in continual contactvia a variety of mechanisms (e.g., cellular phone, pager, voice-mail,etc.). Consequently, a typical user is associated with numerous contactaddresses (e.g., numbers). This typical user, for example, has a worktelephone number, a home telephone number, a pager number, a cellularphone number, a facsimile number, etc. Although greater flexibility isprovided through these communication mechanisms, inefficiencies arisewith respect to their management and use. In recognition of this,telecommunication service providers have developed a Find-Me/Follow-Meservice that routes a call to a particular device based on a subscriberspecified list of phone numbers in an attempt to reach the subscriber.The list constitutes a subscriber profile and enumerates the order oftelephone numbers in which the network attempts to contact thesubscriber. That is, the network forwards an incoming call to a locationthat is pre-designated by the subscriber. Such a service is particularlyuseful for individuals who need to be contacted immediately; forexample, emergency personnel. Many callers are reluctant to leave voicemail messages, believing that their calls are of little import,resulting effectively in a lost call to the called party. Therefore,users who seek to not lose such calls are required to utilize a searchtype service, such as Find-Me/Follow-Me.

The conventional Find-Me/Follow-Me service, which employs a staticsubscriber profile, has a number of drawbacks. Although the subscriberprofile typically designates telephone numbers in conjunction with aschedule, this schedule is fixed, and thus, lacks the flexibility toadapt to any irregularities in scheduling. For example, the network may“know” that the subscriber is typically at work from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM,and hence, to attempt to reach the subscriber at the work telephonenumber during these hours, the schedule is, at best, a rough estimation.The network may need to make numerous attempts prior to contacting thesubscriber, resulting in delay in call processing. Furthermore, the manyattempts may unnecessarily consume precious network resources. To avoidthese wastes (and accompanying costs), the subscriber is required tomanually instruct the network with regard to schedule and telephonenumbers. However, this approach imposes a great burden on the subscriberto continually make manual modifications to the subscriber profile.

Therefore, there is a need for an approach for providing a search typeservice (e.g., Find-Me/Follow-Me) with a mechanism for automaticallyupdating a subscriber profile.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

These and other needs are addressed by the present invention in which anapproach is provided for automatically updating a profile to locate asubscriber to establish a communication session. The profile is utilizedby a network search type service, such as Find-Me/Follow-Me, to routecalls to a device accessible to the subscriber for a particular locationand time. A portable subscriber locator device that is attached to thesubscriber transmits location information to a network that maintainsthe subscriber profile. The locator device, according to one embodimentof the present invention, employs Global Positioning System (GPS)satellites to determine the position of the subscriber. The subscriberprofile may be updated in real-time to track the location of thesubscriber. The above approach advantageously minimizes waste of networkresources and improves availability of the subscriber for directcontact.

In one aspect of the present invention, a method for establishing acommunication session according to a profile of a subscriber isdisclosed. The method includes receiving geographic information of thesubscriber. Also, the method includes determining whether the geographicinformation corresponds to one of a plurality of addresses specified inthe profile of the subscriber to set a current address, wherein theplurality of addresses is associated with a plurality of devices adaptedto complete the communication session. Further, the method includesdesignating the one address as the current address if the geographicinformation corresponds to the one address, otherwise the currentaddress is set to a default address. The communication session isestablished based on the current address.

In another aspect of the present invention, a system for automaticallylocating a subscriber to establish a communication session is disclosed.The system includes an interface that is configured to receivegeographic information of a subscriber. The geographic information isautomatically output by a locator device attached to the subscriber. Thesystem also includes a processor that is configured to determine whetherthe geographic information corresponds to one of a plurality ofaddresses specified in a profile of the subscriber to set a currentaddress. The plurality of addresses is associated with a plurality ofdevices adapted to complete the communication session, wherein the oneaddress is designated as the current address if the geographicinformation corresponds to the one address, otherwise the currentaddress is set to a default address. The communication session isestablished based on the current address.

In another aspect of the present invention, a computer-readable mediumcarrying one or more sequences of one or more instructions forestablishing a communication session according to a profile of asubscriber is disclosed. The one or more sequences of one or moreinstructions include instructions which, when executed by one or moreprocessors, cause the one or more processors to perform the step ofreceiving geographic information of the subscriber. Another stepincludes determining whether the geographic information corresponds toone of a plurality of addresses specified in the profile of thesubscriber to set a current address, wherein the plurality of addressesis associated with a plurality of devices adapted to complete thecommunication session. A further step includes designating the oneaddress as the current address if the geographic information correspondsto the one address, otherwise the current address is set to a defaultaddress, wherein the communication session is established based on thecurrent address.

In another aspect of the present invention, a system for establishing acommunication session according to a profile of a subscriber isdisclosed. The system includes means for receiving geographicinformation of the subscriber. The system also includes means fordetermining whether geographic information of a subscriber correspondsto one of a plurality of addresses specified in the profile of thesubscriber to set a current address, the plurality of addresses beingassociated with a plurality of devices adapted to complete thecommunication session, and for designating the one address as thecurrent address if the geographic information corresponds to the oneaddress, otherwise the current address is set to a default address. Thecommunication session is established based on the current address.

In another aspect of the present invention, a method for providingautomatic update of a subscriber profile is disclosed. The methodincludes receiving a signal indicating positional information of anintended party of a communication session. The method also includesdetermining whether a location site has changed in response to thereceived positional information. The location site corresponds to anaddress of a device adapted to participate in the communication session.Further, the method includes selectively transmitting a message toupdate the subscriber profile associated with the intended party inresponse to the determining step. The message indicates a changedlocation site.

In yet another aspect of the present invention, a computer-readablemedium carrying one or more sequences of one or more instructions forproviding automatic update of a subscriber profile is disclosed. The oneor more sequences of one or more instructions include instructionswhich, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or moreprocessors to perform the step of receiving a signal indicatingpositional information of an intended party of a communication session.Another step includes determining whether a location site has changed inresponse to the received positional information, the location sitecorresponds to an address of a device adapted to participate in thecommunication session. A further step includes selectively transmittinga message to update the subscriber profile associated with the intendedparty in response to the determining step. The message indicates achanged location site.

Still other aspects, features, and advantages of the present inventionare readily apparent from the following detailed description, simply byillustrating a number of particular embodiments and implementations,including the best mode contemplated for carrying out the presentinvention. The present invention is also capable of other and differentembodiments, and its several details can be modified in various obviousrespects, all without departing from the spirit and scope of the presentinvention. Accordingly, the drawing and description are to be regardedas illustrative in nature, and not as restrictive.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is illustrated by way of example, and not by wayof limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings and in whichlike reference numerals refer to similar elements and in which:

FIG. 1 is a diagram of a communication system capable of providingautomatic update of a subscriber's location in a search type service,according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a diagram of a communication system providing a web-basedinterface for manipulating a subscriber profile, according to anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a flow chart of a process for automatically updating asubscriber profile information, according to an embodiment of thepresent invention; and

FIG. 4 is a diagram of a computer system that can be used to implementan embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

A system, method, and software for providing automatic update of asubscriber profile in performance of a search type service aredescribed. In the following description, for the purposes ofexplanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to providea thorough understanding of the present invention. It is apparent,however, to one skilled in the art that the present invention may bepracticed without these specific details or with an equivalentarrangement. In other instances, well-known structures and devices areshown in block diagram form in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuringthe present invention.

In the following description, for the purposes of explanation, numerousspecific details are set forth in order to provide a thoroughunderstanding of the present invention. It is apparent, however, to oneskilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced withoutthese specific details or with an equivalent arrangement. In otherinstances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagramform in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the present invention.

Although the present invention is explained with respect to aFind-Me/Follow-Me service, the present invention also has applicabilityto providing a general search type function. Additionally, the presentinvention is discussed with respect to an Advanced Intelligent Network(AIN) and a Global Positioning System (GPS), it should be appreciatedthat one of ordinary skill in the art would recognize that the presentinvention has applicability to other telecommunication networks, andother systems for providing geographic information.

FIG. 1 is a diagram of a communication system capable of providingautomatic update of a subscriber's location in a search type service,according to an embodiment of the present invention. A communicationssystem 100 supports a search type service, for example,Find-Me/Follow-Me, whereby a caller utilizes a phone station 101 toreach a subscriber according to call processing instructions in asubscriber profile. In this scenario, the phone station 101 places acall over a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) 105 that isintended for a subscriber within site 107. According to one embodimentof the present invention, the PSTN 105 includes an Advanced IntelligentNetwork (AIN) of which a Switching Service and Control Point (SSCP) 109is shown.

AIN is an open standard architecture that separates signaling trafficfrom call traffic. This decoupling provides great flexibility in termsof equipment deployment and service development. Developed by BellCommunications Research, the AIN standards and concepts have also beenadopted by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) in a formreferred to as Capability Set 1 (CS-1), for example.

The SSCP 109 attempts to route a call to the subscriber based on theinstructions in the subscriber profile. The SSCP 109 combines thefunctionalities of a Switching Control Point (SCP) 109 a and a ServiceSwitching Point (SSP) 109 b. The SCP 109 a provides the service logic,and thus, retrieves call processing instructions from a Service DataPoint (SDP) 109 c, which stores the subscriber profile. The SCP 109 asupports services, such as area number calling service, disasterrecovery, 5-digit extension dialing, and etc.; in this example, theservices of the SCP 109 a include Find-Me/Follow-Me.

In general, the SSCP 109 provides technical requirements for completionof the incoming call and determines the appropriate mode ofcommunication and network structure needed to complete the incomingcall. The SSCP 109 interacts with the SCP 109 a and the SSP 109 b to setup desired call routing and execution. The SSCP 109 provides an endpointunder the Signaling System 7 (SS7) protocol, serving as a host basednetwork entity that manages the network configuration. Among otherfunctions, the SSCP 109 also coordinates network operator and problemdetermination requests, maintains network address and mapping tables,and provides directory support and session services. As the servicelogic, the SCP 109 a provides translation and routing functions.

Under a Find-Me/Follow-Me service, the subscriber is assigned atelephone number, which may be a toll-free number (usually having aprefix of 800, 888 or 900). The toll-free number directs the incomingcall to the SCP 109 a. The SCP 109 a recognizes an incoming 800 numberand sends calls associated with the 800 number to the correspondingrouting number.

The SSP 109 b is a switch that is capable of processing an 800 numbercall, routing such calls to the SCP 109 a. The SSP 109 b utilizes a SDPdatabase 109 c, which contains pre-specified subscriber instructionsthat are needed to route an incoming call. In an exemplary embodiment,the SDP database 109 c includes the subscriber locator profile 109 d,which may be implemented as a look-up table. The subscriber profiles,for example, may be stored on the SDP 109 c on optical disc, magnetictape, or dynamic random access memory (DRAM), or other storage media.The SSP 109 b comprises digital telephone switches that communicate withthe SCP 109 a and make requests for specific instructions for calltreatment from the SDP 109 c.

In this example, the call originates from the telephone station 101 forthe subscriber. The call enters the PSTN 105 at a local switch (notshown), which switches the call to the SSCP 109. The SSCP 109, in turn,directs the call according to instructions of the subscriber profilestored on the SDP 109 c and terminates the call at another switch withinthe PSTN 105 that serves the phone station 111. The phone station 111 isspecified by the subscribers as the device to reach the subscriber asspecified by the subscriber profile, which include a list ofpre-arranged call processing instructions from the subscriber regardingthe manner in which incoming calls are to be forwarded (i.e., thesubscriber profile).

Upon receiving an incoming call from the phone station 101, the SCP 109a queries the SDP 109 c. During the query, the SSCP 109 processes thestored instructions to route the call. For instance, the subscriberprofile database may specify the following call treatment. The call isto be forwarded first to the phone in the subscriber's place ofresidence, then the office telephone, the cellular telephone, the pager,and then the fax machine (as a default). The subscriber profile mayfurther instruct call treatment based on time-of-day, time-of-week, orany subscriber specified time schedule. For instance, the Subscriberprofile database may be instructed to forward calls intended for thesubscriber arriving between the hours of 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM be sent tothe subscriber's office telephone, while all other calls during thisperiod are forwarded to the subscriber's home telephone. Assuming thesite 107 is the subscriber's office, if the phone station 101 initiatescall establishment at 10:00 AM, then the PSTN 105 would route the callto a phone 111 within the subscriber site 107.

As noted, the system 100 supports automatic update of the subscriberprofile. This update, which may be performed on a real-time basis,according to one embodiment of the present invention, employs a locatordevice 113 that is transported with the subscriber. The subscriber maycarry the locator device 113, which may include, in an exemplaryembodiment, a Global Positioning System (GPS) transponder (not shown)that receives positional information from GPS satellites 115. The GlobalPositioning System utilizes a constellation of satellites, whereby eachsatellite transmits signals indicating various information about itself,such as its position, its local time of day, its identification, etc.Using several GPS satellites as reference points, the GPS transponderdetermines positional information of the locator device 113, and thus,the subscriber. Alternatively, the locator device 113 can include anelectronic compass system for determining positional information, aswell as an interface for the subscriber to manually enter a location,such as an address, landmark, etc.

In turn, the locator device 113 may transmit the positional informationwirelessly, for example, using cellular technology to a local cellularsite 117, which relays the information to a location database 103, whichinterfaces with the SSCP 109 to modify the subscriber profile in the SDP109 c, as appropriate. It is recognized that the locator device 113 mayalso forward the positional information through a wireline (not shown).Under this approach, the subscriber profile within the database 103 maybe updated in real-time. Alternatively, the locator device 113 mayperiodically transmit the updated positional information. In thealternative, the locator device 113 may first determine whether thepositional information has changed and transmits the updated positionalinformation only if the positional information triggers a differentsubscriber site 107.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the locator device113 forwards the positional information that is received to the locationdatabase 103 without significant processing of the positionalinformation. In the alternative, the locator device 113 may convert thepositional information to correlated data to minimize processing andstorage requirement.

Although the search type service (e.g., Find-Me/Follow-Me) is describedwith respect to an AIN environment, it is recognized that the presentinvention may be deployed in any environment that implements a searchtype service based on a profile. For example, a search type servicefunction may be supported in a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP)system.

FIG. 2 is a diagram of a communication system providing a web-basedinterface for manipulating user profile, according to an embodiment ofthe present invention. As explained above, a subscriber profile, shownin this example as a profile database 201, is updated based on locationinformation 203 that is obtained through a locator device 113 (FIG. 1).Under this scenario, the subscriber may modify the subscriber profilevia a web-based interface. The profile database 201 may be accessedthrough the Internet 205, or any other data network, using a clientstation 207, which is configured to run a web browser.

Through the web browser, the client station 207 may elect to modify(i.e., add, edit, or delete) the list of locations, the mapping of thegeographic location of these locations (e.g., the subscriber has moved),and the devices associated with the respective locations. Furthermore,the subscriber may override the locator device 113 by specifying thecurrent location. In an exemplary embodiment, the subscriber mayindicate to the profile database 201 that he/she is at home.Consequently, the current address should correspond to home. Thissetting may revert to automatic update after a specified period. Theautomatic update process is more fully described below with respect toFIG. 3.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart of a process for automatically updating userprofile information, according to an embodiment of the presentinvention. In step 301, a subscriber profile is established andspecifies a variety of call treatments; for example, a prioritized listof directory numbers (i.e., addresses) corresponding to variouslocations (e.g., home, office, etc.). The mapping from geographicinformation may be provided by the location information 203 orimplemented as part of the profile database 201. In this example, it isassumed that this mapping logic exists within the profile database 201(e.g., SDP 109 c). Further, the subscriber profile may also capturerequirements regarding scheduling (e.g., time-of-day, time-of-week,etc.) with respect to the locations.

In step 303, the location of the subscriber, via the locator device 113,is monitored, either by the device 113 itself or an external process,such as a location server (not shown) coupled to the location database103. The locator device 113 outputs geographic location information,which ultimately is received, as in step 305, by the SDP 109 c, inresponse to the positional information from the GPS satellites 115. Instep 307, it is determined whether the geographic informationcorresponds to a directory number; if so, the current number (oraddress) is set to the corresponding directory number, per step 309.However, if the geographic information does not correspond to aspecified directory number, the current number is set to a defaultnumber, which may specify a cellular phone, a pager, or a voice mail.Next, in step 313, the SCP 109 a routes the call based on the updatedsubscriber profile.

The above approach advantageously provides the subscriber with animproved search type function over the traditional Find-Me/Follow-Meservice, in that the subscriber profile permits accurate location of thesubscriber. As a result, network resources are not unnecessarilyexpended to locate the subscriber. In addition, assuming the defaultnumber is the subscriber's cellular phone number, the use of thecellular phone is minimized as the subscriber would likely be locatedprior to reaching the default number in the call processing.

FIG. 4 illustrates a computer system 400 upon which an embodimentaccording to the present invention can be implemented. The computersystem 400 includes a bus 401 or other communication mechanism forcommunicating information and a processor 403 coupled to the bus 401 forprocessing information. The computer system 400 also includes mainmemory 405, such as a random access memory (RAM) or other dynamicstorage device, coupled to the bus 401 for storing information andinstructions to be executed by the processor 403. Main memory 405 canalso be used for storing temporary variables or other intermediateinformation during execution of instructions by the processor 403. Thecomputer system 400 may further include a read only memory (ROM) 407 orother static storage device coupled to the bus 401 for storing staticinformation and instructions for the processor 403. A storage device409, such as a magnetic disk or optical disk, is coupled to the bus 401for persistently storing information and instructions.

The computer system 400 may be coupled via the bus 401 to a display 411,such as a cathode ray tube (CRT), liquid crystal display, active matrixdisplay, or plasma display, for displaying information to a computeruser. An input device 413, such as a keyboard including alphanumeric andother keys, is coupled to the bus 401 for communicating information andcommand selections to the processor 403. Another type of user inputdevice is a cursor control 415, such as a mouse, a trackball, or cursordirection keys, for communicating direction information and commandselections to the processor 403 and for controlling cursor movement onthe display 411.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the process of FIG. 3 isprovided by the computer system 400 in response to the processor 403executing an arrangement of instructions contained in main memory 405.Such instructions can be read into main memory 405 from anothercomputer-readable medium, such as the storage device 409. Execution ofthe arrangement of instructions contained in main memory 405 causes theprocessor 403 to perform the process steps described herein. One or moreprocessors in a multi-processing arrangement may also be employed toexecute the instructions contained in main memory 405. In alternativeembodiments, hard-wired circuitry may be used in place of or incombination with software instructions to implement the embodiment ofthe present invention. Thus, embodiments of the present invention arenot limited to any specific combination of hardware circuitry andsoftware.

The computer system 400 also includes a communication interface 417coupled to bus 401. The communication interface 417 provides a two-waydata communication coupling to a network link 419 connected to a localnetwork 421. For example, the communication interface 417 may be adigital subscriber line (DSL) card or modem, an integrated servicesdigital network (ISDN) card, a cable modem, a telephone modem, or anyother communication interface to provide a data communication connectionto a corresponding type of communication line. As another example,communication interface 417 may be a local area network (LAN) card (e.g.for Ethernet™ or an Asynchronous Transfer Model (ATM) network) toprovide a data communication connection to a compatible LAN. Wirelesslinks can also be implemented. In any such implementation, communicationinterface 417 sends and receives electrical, electromagnetic, or opticalsignals that carry digital data streams representing various types ofinformation. Further, the communication interface 417 can includeperipheral interface devices, such as a Universal Serial Bus (USB)interface, a PCMCIA (Personal Computer Memory Card InternationalAssociation) interface, etc. Although a single communication interface417 is depicted in FIG. 4, multiple communication interfaces can also beemployed.

The network link 419 typically provides data communication through oneor more networks to other data devices. For example, the network link419 may provide a connection through local network 421 to a hostcomputer 423, which has connectivity to a network 425 (e.g. a wide areanetwork (WAN) or the global packet data communication network nowcommonly referred to as the “Internet”) or to data equipment operated bya service provider. The local network 421 and network 425 both useelectrical, electromagnetic, or optical signals to convey informationand instructions. The signals through the various networks and thesignals on network link 419 and through communication interface 417,which communicate digital data with computer system 400, are exemplaryforms of carrier waves bearing the information and instructions.

The computer system 400 can send messages and receive data, includingprogram code, through the network(s), network link 419, andcommunication interface 417. In the Internet example, a server (notshown) might transmit requested code belonging an application programfor implementing an embodiment of the present invention through thenetwork 425, local network 421 and communication interface 417. Theprocessor 403 may execute the transmitted code while being receivedand/or store the code in storage device 49, or other non-volatilestorage for later execution. In this manner, computer system 400 mayobtain application code in the form of a carrier wave.

The term “computer-readable medium” as used herein refers to any mediumthat participates in providing instructions to the processor 405 forexecution. Such a medium may take many forms, including but not limitedto non-volatile media, volatile media, and transmission media.Non-volatile media include, for example, optical or magnetic disks, suchas storage device 409. Volatile media include dynamic memory, such asmain memory 405. Transmission media include coaxial cables, copper wireand fiber optics, including the wires that comprise bus 401.Transmission media can also take the form of acoustic, optical, orelectromagnetic waves, such as those generated during radio frequency(RF) and infrared (IR) data communications. Common forms ofcomputer-readable media include, for example, a floppy disk, a flexibledisk, hard disk, magnetic tape, any other magnetic medium, a CD-ROM,CDRW, DVD, any other optical medium, punch cards, paper tape, opticalmark sheets, any other physical medium with patterns of holes or otheroptically recognizable indicia, a RAM, a PROM, and EPROM, a FLASH-EPROM,any other memory chip or cartridge, a carrier wave, or any other mediumfrom which a computer can read.

Various forms of computer-readable media may be involved in providinginstructions to a processor for execution. For example, the instructionsfor carrying out at least part of the present invention may initially beborne on a magnetic disk of a remote computer. In such a scenario, theremote computer loads the instructions into main memory and sends theinstructions over a telephone line using a modem. A modem of a localcomputer system receives the data on the telephone line and uses aninfrared transmitter to convert the data to an infrared signal andtransmit the infrared signal to a portable computing device, such as apersonal digital assistant (PDA) or a laptop. An infrared detector onthe portable computing device receives the information and instructionsborne by the infrared signal and places the data on a bus. The busconveys the data to main memory, from which a processor retrieves andexecutes the instructions. The instructions received by main memory canoptionally be stored on storage device either before or after executionby processor.

Accordingly, the present invention provides an approach forautomatically updating a profile to locate a subscriber to establish acommunication session. The profile is utilized by a network search typeservice, such as Find-Me/Follow-Me, to route calls to a deviceaccessible to the subscriber for at a particular location and time. Aportable subscriber locator device that is attached to the subscribertransmits location information to a network that maintains thesubscriber profile. The locator device, according to one embodiment ofthe present invention, employs GPS satellites to determine the positionof the subscriber. The subscriber profile may be updated in real-time totrack the location of the subscriber. The above approach advantageouslyenhances availability of the subscriber, while efficiently utilizingnetwork resources.

While the present invention has been described in connection with anumber of embodiments and implementations, the present invention is notso limited but covers various obvious modifications and equivalentarrangements, which fall within the purview of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method comprising: presenting, via graphicaluser interface, information relating to a user profile; and specifyingone or more addresses for the user profile, wherein the addressesinclude a current address, wherein the user profile is used to route acall to the current address in response to location informationassociated with one of the addresses, the location information beingupdated without user input.
 2. A method according to claim 1, furthercomprising: invoking a web-based application to provide the graphicaluser interface; and inputting, via the graphical user interface, newlocation information to override the location information to alter therouting of the call.
 3. A method according to claim 2, wherein theoverride is activated for predetermined time period, and the currentaddress reverts to the updating without user input.
 4. A methodaccording to claim 1, further comprising: modifying, via the graphicaluser interface, the user profile with respect to the addresses, amapping of the addresses to one or more devices configured to receivethe call, or a combination thereof.
 5. A method according to claim 1,wherein the location information includes or is determined from GlobalPositioning System (GPS) data.
 6. A method according to claim 1, whereinthe call is routed according to a search-type call treatment.
 7. Amethod according to claim 1, wherein the user profile is maintained by aservice data point of a telephony signaling network.
 8. An apparatuscomprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory includingcomputer program code for one or more programs, the at least one memoryand the computer program code configured to, with the at least oneprocessor, cause the apparatus to perform at least the following,present, via graphical user interface, information relating to a userprofile, and specify one or more addresses for the user profile, whereinthe addresses include a current address, wherein the user profile isused to route a call to the current address in response to locationinformation associated with one of the addresses, the locationinformation being updated without user input.
 9. An apparatus accordingto claim 8, wherein the apparatus is further caused to: invoke aweb-based application to provide the graphical user interface; andinput, via the graphical user interface, new location information tooverride the location information to alter the routing of the call. 10.An apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the override is activated forpredetermined time period, and the current address reverts to theupdating without user input.
 11. An apparatus according to claim 8,wherein the apparatus is further caused to: modify, via the graphicaluser interface, the user profile with respect to the addresses, amapping of the addresses to one or more devices configured to receivethe call, or a combination thereof.
 12. An apparatus according to claim8, wherein the location information includes or is determined fromGlobal Positioning System (GPS) data.
 13. An apparatus according toclaim 8, wherein the call is routed according to a search-type calltreatment.
 14. An apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the userprofile is maintained by a service data point of a telephony signalingnetwork.
 15. A system comprising: a first communication node configuredto maintain a user profile specifying a plurality of addresses includinga current address; and a second communication node configured to form asignaling network with the first communication node and to access theuser profile to route a call to the current address in response tolocation information associated with one of the addresses, the locationinformation being updated without user input.
 16. A system according toclaim 15, wherein the first communication node includes a service datapoint, and the second communication node includes a switching controlpoint.
 17. A system according to claim 16, further comprising: a switchconfigured to communicate with the switching control point and to routethe call according to the user profile.
 18. A system according to claim15, wherein the user profile is provided as part of a subscriptionservice that assigns a toll-free number for the call to be routedaccording to the user profile.
 19. A system according to claim 15,further comprising: a portal configured to provide a web-based interfacefor a user to specify the user profile.
 20. A system according to claim15, wherein the call is a voice over internet protocol call.